Today, August 10, is World Lion Day. It was created to generate support for one of Earth’s most incredible animals: the lion (Panthera leo).
As with many species of large predator, human actions are driving lions towards extinction. They are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, which states that lion populations have likely declined by 43% in the past 21 years alone (Bauer, Packer, Funston, Henschel, & Nowell, 2016).
When using a longer time scale, the lion’s downward trend is even more alarming. Panthera, an NGO (non-governmental organization) that specializes in scientific research and conservation of the world’s wild cat species, claims that lions numbers have dropped for 200,000 to just 20,000 in the past 100 years. The ‘king of beasts’ has also lost 90% of its historic range.
However, there are a host of organizations and dedicated individuals who are working to reverse the lion’s decline. Panthera, who I mentioned above, is a great organization to support.
The National Geographic Society is also helping to conserve lions through their Big Cats Initiative – and through their fantastic media productions. My favorite National Geographic-affiliated project is WildEarth‘s Wild SafariLIVE, which I have waxed lyrically about before.
For those who are not aware, SafariLIVE is the cutting edge in wildlife programming. It is a live, interactive safari that streams out of the Kruger National Park in South Africa and the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. During each drive, viewers are able to communicate with the show’s expert guides via social media. They can send in questions and comments, and there is a chance that their queries will be answered on air.
For World Lion Day, SafariLIVE has produced an excellent compilation of footage of lions hunting. Since I am incredibly busy at the moment, I have not had time to prepare anything myself. Fortunately, SafariLIVE’ video more than makes up for that. Here it is:
Please, take a few minutes to support lion conservation on this World Lion Day. While there are many excellent projects you could donate to, this time I chose to contribute to National Geographic’s Big Cats Initiative. If you would like to do the same, here is their donation page.
The Jaguar 
Happy World Lion Day!! I hope that the decline in lions is minimised! We shouldn’t be in a situation to have to reduce the amount dying and being killed but it’s what it’s come to and I really do hope a difference is made!!
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I really do hope a difference is made too. Can you even imagine a world without lions?
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I don’t want to imagine a world without lions!
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Neither do I!
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This gives me the chills. lions are truly the kings of the jungle.
I never got to see them hunt though, our safari driver was a bit on the lazy side, so we would always be at the park right after they had eaten and well we missed all the action.
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Oh no! How unfortunate that you had a lazy safari driver!
One of my dreams is to sit in an open vehicle surrounded by wild lions. It must be one of the most intense feelings in the world.
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Yeah he was ”something”
we were in a van with the open rooftops but there’s the open land cruisers which are more fun and exciting, it literally has no sides, oh the thrill of it all when the lions walk past you, my word 😱
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I’d love to be in one of those open land cruisers with lions all around, especially at night! That must be one of the most exhilarating feelings in the world.
I’d probably freak out if an elephant came right up to the vehicle though. I imagine they look even bigger up close!
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The level of excitement is beyond words.
It’s all surreal
Tip! stay as still as possible and don’t make any sudden noises when the ellie’s approach. 🙂
Btw they are breathtaking animals & very very large
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Don’t worry, I’d probably be too scared to move if an ellie came up to my vehicle!
And I’ve seen African elephants in zoos, and even there they look huge. But they must be much more breathtaking in the wild, where they’re (hopefully) healthier and happier.
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Me too, 😦 they are intimidatingly large but breathtaking they are 😊
Oh yeah they are wild happy and free like how it should always be for all wild animals.
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wow!!!!!! great
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Thanks!
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You’re welcome! Thank you for the kind words!
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